Eswatini

Despite a score of 10, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is NOT a labour destination for Bangladeshi nationals. The score is inflated by English being an official language and the very close proximity to the BD High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa (~300km) — not any employment pathway. There is no Bangladeshi community in Eswatini, no bilateral labour agreement, and no recruitment channel.

WHY THE SCORE IS MISLEADING:

Eswatini scores 10 because English is an official language (+4 points) and the BD High Commission in Pretoria is only ~300km away (+3 points for nearest-under-500km). These are real factors but irrelevant to labour access — Eswatini is a small landlocked monarchy with 1.2 million people and no recruitment corridor to South Asia.

POLITICAL CONTEXT — ABSOLUTE MONARCHY:

Eswatini is Africa's **last absolute monarchy**. King Mswati III rules by decree. Since June 2021, pro-democracy protests have been met with a violent security-forces crackdown — at least **80 people killed** by security forces during the 2021-2023 protest period (Amnesty International). Periodic internet shutdowns, bans on political parties, and arbitrary detentions continue. The US State Department assessed the situation as a **Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution** advisory.

While the political unrest does not specifically target foreign nationals, the security environment is unstable and unpredictable. Foreign nationals have limited legal protections during periods of unrest.

ECONOMIC CONTEXT:

Eswatini has a GDP per capita of approximately **$3,936** (2024, nominal) — comparable to Bangladesh (~1.46x). Population approximately **1.2 million**. The Swazi Lilangeni (SZL) is pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand, and the Rand circulates freely. The economy is heavily dependent on South Africa (60%+ of exports, 80%+ of imports) and is dominated by sugar production, soft drink concentrate (Coca-Cola's African concentrate factory), forestry, and textiles.

Eswatini has the **world's highest HIV prevalence rate** (~26% of adults aged 15-49), which has profoundly impacted life expectancy and the labour force.

US TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS: **Tier 2** (2025). Concerns relate to Swazi nationals exploited in domestic work and sex trafficking. No BD-specific findings.

The Active Jobs section above shows the current live count for Eswatini.

The Active Jobs section above shows the current live count for Eswatini.

Eswatini has a small, South Africa-dependent economy (~$5 billion GDP). Key sectors: sugar production (largest private employer), soft drink concentrate manufacturing (Coca-Cola's African concentrate plant at Matsapha), forestry (pulp and paper), textiles, and tourism. GDP per capita approximately $3,936. Population 1.2 million.

Unemployment is approximately 33%, and the economy lacks diversity. None of this is accessible to Bangladeshi workers through any recruitment channel.

Eswatini's GDP per capita is approximately $3,936 (2024, nominal) — comparable to Bangladesh (~1.46x). The Swazi Lilangeni (SZL) is pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand. Since Eswatini is not a labour destination for BD nationals, salary ranges are not applicable.

There is no documented Bangladeshi community in Eswatini. No BD workers, students, or established residents are known.

Consular coverage from BD High Commission Pretoria (pretoria.mofa.gov.bd, ~300km from Mbabane).